Arsenal defender Rob Holding has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Holding picked up the injury last week while playing against Manchester United and now it has been confirmed by Unai Emery that the centre-back will be out of action for six to nine months.
“He will undergo surgery to repair this in the coming days. The rehab process is expected to take between six to nine months.” the manager said.
And now multiple reports have suggested that Arsenal are planning to sign a new defender who will serve as a replacement for Rob Holding.
The first player who is being eyed by the Gunners manager is Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.
Bailly has fallen down the pecking order this season under Jose Mourinho and despite the player starting the past couple of games, United will not hesitate to offload him in case a good offer comes their way.
Mourinho already has the likes of Phil Jones, Smalling, Lindelof and Marcos Rojo who are ahead of Eric Bailly meaning getting hands on him should not be too difficult for Arsenal.
But whether Jose Mourinho will sell him to a direct rival remains to be seen.
The other player who could end up wearing the red of Arsenal in January is Chelsea centre-back, Gary Cahill.
Cahill has played just 21 minutes in the Premier League for Chelsea this season and most of his appearances have been limited to cup ties under Maurizio Sarri.
The Chelsea boss clearly prefers the duo of Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz ahead of the Englishman and given the fact that the Blues do not handle old players very well, Gary Cahill will surely leave Stamford Bridge next year.
Arsenal are primarily eyeing Eric Bailly because of his age but if Jose Mourinho is unwilling to do business with Unai Emery during the middle of the season then the Gunners will make a move for Chelsea’s senior pro, Gary Cahill.
Read: ‘This’ Chelsea man seems to have hit a new level of desperation in a bid to move out of the club.
Read: Here’s why Rob Holding’s injury news is much more serious than it actually looks.
Read: Liverpool suffer an enormous injury setback just days before they welcome Man United at Anfield.
Read: Is it time for the Arsenal fans to finally say goodbye to Aaron Ramsey?
Read: Why have Liverpool turned down a bid for their out-of-favour forward?
